Large schools of tropical fish, amberjacks, sharks, hammerheads, turtles and much more

All dives from tenders

Water temperature: 72 - 82F, 22 - 28C with cooler thermoclines

3 - 5 mm wetsuit recommended

7-night charter: up to 19 dives

Diving From Tenders:

Number of Tenders:

Length:

El Caño Island is a marine reserve located off the south pacific coast of Costa Rica in front of the Osa Peninsula. It is one of the most beautiful jewels in the Costa Rican National Park system.

This lush green tropical island is home to resident tropical fish, beautiful colorful corals, marine flora, tuna, amberjacks, wahoo, rays, turtles, enormous schools of fish, humpback whales, pilot whales, white tip sharks, black tip sharks, nurse sharks and occasionally great hammerheads, whale sharks, marlin and dolphin can be seen. Most of the action at El Caño Island can be seen between 30 - 100 feet with visibility between 50 - 100 feet. The best diving in the water surrounding El Caño is done from the yachts two dinghies of the Wind Dancer and Okeanos Aggressor.

ItineraryAll charters to Caño Island are 8 days/7 nights that includes 6 days of diving. Of the 6 days of diving; 3 dives per day will be offered with one day 2 dives being offered plus a land tour to Corcovado National Park (San Pedrillo Station or Sirena Station), Sierpe River Mangroves, or Caño Island or Drakes Bay Hiking Tour (details below). During the week 3 night dives are offered. The Okeanos Aggressor I & II depart from the port town of Puntarenas.

Getting There, Passport & Visa Documentation:Guests fly to San Jose, Costa Rica, overnight, then the following day take a two-hour air-conditioned bus ride to Puntarenas, which showcases some of Costa Rica's most beautiful views. The cruise to Caño Island is approximately 12 hours.

Most major airlines fly into San Jose, Costa Rica: American, Iberia, United, Delta, Lacsa, Taca. An overnight stay in San Jose is usually required prior to the trip due to airline schedules. Recommended hotels are the host hotels, Holiday Inn Escazu and Holiday Inn Express Forum (formerly Indigo Hotel) in San Jose where group transfers are provided from.

Visitors must have a current passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket. US citizens require a passport that must be valid for 6 months from date of entry. It is the travelers’ responsibility to ensure they have the proper visa to travel into each country on his or her itinerary as well as for re-entry and return to their country. Since regulations vary by country, contact your consulate or embassy of your country for the requirement.

Arrival/Boarding/Departure:Guests will be met by a representative in uniform at our two host hotels, the Holiday Inn Escazu and Holiday Inn Express Forum (formerly Indigo Hotel) on the day of departure at a pre-set time for the group transfer. The pick-up and boarding time schedule is available in the "Know Before You Go" document. Boarding depends on the tide schedule. Immediately after boarding the yacht, she departs to Caño Island. After six days of diving, the yacht returns back to Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Check-out is at 7 am. Transportation is provided back to the host hotels or San Jose (SJO) airport from the yacht at the end of the charter. It is recommend flights are booked after 12:30 pm.

InsuranceDive accident insurance is mandatory prior to traveling on the Okeanos Aggressor I. Proof is required prior to diving.

Complimentary Land ToursDuring the week, guests will be offered a complimentary day tour to one of these amazing bio-diverse parks where the scenery is spectacular. Guests will be taken by dinghy to one of these areas; the tour will depend on the tide and weather conditions:

1) Sierpe River Mangrove Tour: The mangroves in the Terraba and Sierpe Rivers are part of the Sierpe-Terraba Wetland Reserve that protects over 22.000 hectares of pristine mangrove forests. It is a very important ecosystem that includes swamps, lagoons , estuaries and coral reefs merging the rivers and the ocean. It is one of the biggest mangrove ecosystems in the American Pacific. Residents include a huge variety of species of birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals along its waters. Birds include herons, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and red macaws. Reptiles include alligators and caimans as well as various kinds of snakes like boas and the fer-de-lance. Mammals include 4 types of monkeys, raccoons, and various species of cats, sloths, wild boars, tapirs, squirrels, coatis and others.

2) Corcovado National Park Hike, San Pedrillo Station: This station is the nearest to Drakes Bay; it contains spectacular biodiversity. You can watch four types of monkeys; coatis, sloths, anteaters, and many more. A huge variety of birds can be seen including kingfishers, red macaws, tanagers, and toucans. Reptiles include snakes, turtles and lizards. The hike level is easy and ends in a beautiful waterfall where you can refresh yourself.

3) Corcovado National Park, Sirena Station: This station is located in the center of Corcovado’s rainforest and is accessible by boat only. Its attractions include four types of monkeys, wild boars, tapirs, a huge variety of birds and the possibility of watching whales, marine turtles and dolphins during the boat ride. There is also a river mouth where you can observe the bull sharks swimming into the estuary along with huge crocodiles in the mouth of the river. It is an outstanding place to observe wild life and the scenery and landscape are unbeatable.

4) Caño Island Hiking Tour: The Island offers an intermediate hike that climbs up to a small archeological site and an ocean lookout. The vegetation and scenery are very appealing.

5) Drakes Bay Hiking Tour: The hike from Drakes Bay to San Josecito Bay lets guests enjoy the fusion between the rainforest and the ocean. It’s an easy hike along the coast and rainforest going through small streams and lonely beaches that dazzle nature lovers. The walk ends in the beautiful San Josecito Bay.